The construction of the Hudson Street corridor between I-71 and Cleveland Avenue in North Linden has officially ended, for now.
“This critical investment prioritizes safe travel for everyone who moves along Hudson Street and it showcases a main East-West arterial. That's a big part of Linden's history,” Columbus Director of Public Services, Kelly Scocco, said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Construction had been ongoing for the last two and a half years, drawing ire from the local community. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning, officials from the city thanked the Linden community for their patience.
“From the start, my department's design and construction project team stayed laser-focused on minimizing disruption to the neighborhood as much as possible,” Scocco said. “We understood it was important to the community to keep the project moving. Still, the reconstruction was a very challenging project.”
Scocco also reported that the project had finished on time, and under budget. The initial estimated budget was $20.5 million, but current construction costs are around $17 million.
The project has added an off-street mixed-use trail, 123 Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps and upgraded the eight signalized intersections with new or improved signals.
The city also said that while major construction has ended, some small repair work may still be needed before the project is officially over.
Other construction may still be in the future along Hudson Street. The intersection of Hudson and Cleveland Avenue was highlighted as one such project.
“Currently, the city and the Ohio Department of Transportation are constructing safety improvements at the intersection down the street at Hudson and Cleveland Avenue, for safer street crossing and for the vehicles,” Scocco said. “It's a location identified by the state as one of the most dangerous intersections in all of Ohio.”
